Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2022 - CMNS 455W D200

Women and New Information Technologies (4)

Class Number: 7979

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 7 – Dec 6, 2022: Fri, 12:30–4:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    60 units, including CMNS 253W with a minimum grade of C-.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Topics include the processes through which gendering of technologies takes place; information and communication technologies (ICTs), gender and public and private spheres; issues related to computerization of women's paid and unpaid work; and gender roles and the use of ICTs in relation to health; as well as the contributions which the study of gender and ICTs have made to theoretical debates within science, technology and society studies. Students with credit for CMNS 455 may not take this course for further credit. Writing.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course explores the field of Feminist Science and Technology Studies (Feminist STS). The course begins by exploring how Feminist STS has approached technology as an object of study. We will ask what constitutes a technology within a feminist framework, and consider methods that feminist STS scholars have used to situate technologies in gendered contexts and communities of use. After establishing this basis, we will focus our learning on the relationship between gender, computing, and the internet. Problems to be explored include access to computing technologies, participation in computing industries, the gendered design of information systems, and the use of information and communication technologies for feminist activism. This is a writing intensive course intended to improve students’ skills in written communication. Toward this goal, students will practice various genres of writing across three assignments, complete low-stakes in-class writing exercises, and one co-creative project done as a group.

Grading

  • Critical Reflection Posts in Weekly Group Discussions 10%
  • Writing Assignment: Informative Blog 15%
  • Writing Assignment: Opinion/Editorial 20%
  • Writing Assignment: Scholarly Paper 25%
  • Creative Research Project (done as a group) 20%
  • Attendance and Participation 10%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Readings will be made available as PDFs On Canvas.

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html